Domestic Violence Solutions for SB County Receives $1 Million Gift
Largest Donation from an Individual in DVS’ History
Susan now takes her place amongst a number of women, and their husbands, whose gifts through the Domestic Violence Solutions Legacy Club work to protect women and children from domestic violence and abuse. As an organization dedicated to providing safe and confidential shelter for battered women and their children as well as emotional support and personal advocacy, Domestic Violence Solutions’ leadership in the community continues to effect necessary social change throughout the county.
“We are honored to receive this gift, which continues the momentum of Domestic Violence Solutions’ mission to end the intergenerational cycle of violence toward women and children by providing prevention and intervention services and by challenging society’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to effect social change,” said Claudette Roehrig, board president for Domestic Violence Solutions.
Susan’s gift will go into Domestic Violence Solutions endowment fund at the Santa Barbara Foundation. This permanent fund gives the organization yearly income while being professionally managed by the foundation to ensure the fund remains strong over time. With the new gift, the fund will continue to grow, providing essential stability and ensuring Domestic Violence Solutions’ ability to deliver core services even in the most challenging economic times.
“Susan’s gift is a wonderful tribute to donor generosity, agency management foresight, and the foundation’s vigilant stewardship,” said Jan Campbell, senior vice president of philanthropic services, communications, and marketing at the Santa Barbara Foundation. “We are honored to partner with the Domestic Violence Solutions board and staff to put Susan’s legacy to work forever.”
Susan Trescher lived a very full life, working hard at her chosen profession while also finding time to travel around the world, frequently accompanied by her beloved dogs. Early on, she attended Harvard Law School, a member of the third class to admit women. After graduation, Susan worked for Columbia Pictures in the field of copyright and trademark law. She later worked as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, as a legal consultant for the Fund for the Republic Labor Project in Berkeley, as a research attorney with the Continuing Education of the Bar Program in Berkeley, and in private practice.
Susan was drawn to Santa Barbara in 1964, and worked as an attorney for the Santa Barbara County Counsel. After brief periods in other departments, she was assigned to assist the Planning Commission and her acquired expertise in land law use provided for the development of policies, procedures, and regulations that have helped maintain the natural environment in Santa Barbara. In addition, Susan was a member of the Legal Aid Foundation and Santa Barbara Women Lawyers (serving as president on each of their boards), and was also on the board of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association. In 1998, Susan was honored with the Attorney of the Year award from the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers.
About Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County:
Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County works to end the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence by providing prevention and intervention services and by challenging society’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to effect social change. To learn more, please visit dvsolutions.org.
About the Santa Barbara Foundation:
The Santa Barbara Foundation is a community foundation established in 1928 to enrich the lives of the people of Santa Barbara County through philanthropy. As one of the largest private sources of funding for area nonprofits, agencies, and college bound students, the foundation builds and facilitates philanthropy through donor partnerships; invests in nonprofits; and identifies and strategically addresses important community needs. Guided by compassion for the most vulnerable and those most in need of help, excellence in what it supports and with whom it partners, and integrity with a focus on stewardship and transparency, the Santa Barbara Foundation is invested in a more vibrant, engaged, and meaningfully connected Santa Barbara County…for all.
Contact: Jessica Tade
Communications and Marketing Manager
Santa Barbara Foundation
(805) 880-9391